Description of problem: Although only a few languages were selected, all available locale files will be installed. 'anaconda' does not seem to set the %_install_langs macro and contains only a small trace of it in commented code. It neither helps to create /etc/rpm/macros in the install-/, nor in the chroot. There does not seem to be a way to stop installation of unneeded languages. Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): anaconda-10.2.1.5-2
We don't set %_install_langs or use it any more. Doing so makes it impossible to add language support after you've installed because you essentially would have to reinstall every package on the system.
Why not make it an option? I am absolutely sure, that I never ever will need new languages. So lot of space will be wasted for stuff which is never needed. Currently, I would have to reinstall every package in the system to removed unwanted languages.
Because "make it an option" for everything in the world ends up leading to something that is usable to no one and not at all maintainable. In this case, you might be able to get what you want by writing out an /etc/rpm/macros in %pre, but no guarantees.
/etc/rpm/macros does not work, neither in the real / nor in the chroot. These files will be parsed very early before %pre is executed. In do not agree with all the anaconda crippling (e.g. removal of package selection, no way to influence partition order). But kickstart should stay a powerful tool which allows to configure the system. Perhaps a generic way to set rpm macros would be the right thing. This would allow to set %_netshared_path also.
If you're interested in it, feel free to jump on anaconda-devel-list and suggest a patch.